June 19, 2025
The radiation treatments have caused my voice to become hoarse, and actually hurt when speaking. Only two more treatments in the throat area, then the remaining 10 treatments will be in lower areas. Next chemo (4th treatment) will be on July 9th, and sometime after that they will do a scan to confirm that the treatments are working.
We had to say goodbye to Belle this week. She had been struggling with the loss of use of her back legs. Such a faithful and loving joy she was! She was quite a fighter and was trying to stay with us as long as she could.
June 9, 2025
Received the 'targeted' pill last Friday night and will be taking that daily. The "thrush" has subsided and was able to return to getting the Radiation treatments. The next chemo treatment is this Wednesday.
June 2, 2025
Radiation is on a pause for now to allow for healing from the skin rash and throat problems and to allow the thrush to heal as well. The new targeted chemo pill will arrive this week and will begin that.
Your love and prayers have been sustaining us and just keep repeating Phil 4:13: "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."
May 28, 2025
Had the chemo treatment last Wednesday, and the first few days were fine. But the past few days have been a bit rough: tired and a 'thrashing' on the throat. For our 42nd wedding anniversary today we went down to Cocoa Beach for lunch. The Radiation machine is being worked on today, so getting a break from that for a day.
Have not received the 'pill' treatment yet, but it has been approved by the insurance so will hopefully start that soon. The month of June will be filled with the radiation treatments. 24 more to go!
May 19, 2025
Very eventful day! Unfortunately did not have the chemo treatment today due to a sinus infection and started on an antibiotic. Plan to have the chemo treatment on Wednesday as long as those meds do the trick. Was still able to receive the radiation treatment today as scheduled.
The molecular level study came back. There is a 'pill' that can be taken to target this specific form of cancer in addition to the current treatments. The Doctor submitted the paperwork for insurance to cover it, so hopefully that can start soon.
May 14, 2025
The 'setup' for Radiation went smoothly yesterday, and we are starting the Radiation treatments this morning. Those will occur every weekday starting today thru the end of June. It's kind of scary, but we are very thankful that we can begin that part of the process.
May 11, 2025
Happy Mother's Day everyone! This has been a much better week and I feel almost normal. What a blessing to have both our sons here to celebrate Mother's Day.
Tuesday is the final setup for Radiation, and hopefully those treatments will begin this week.
May 6, 2025
Chemo week was a rough one. First few days weren't too bad, but then nothing would stay down. Thankful for the tips booklet Dr gives, my supportive husband and family/friends, gin gins & other nausea lozenges. Blood levels are low now so we are in a rebuilding strength mode. We've received many encouraging cards & notes and your prayers are sustaining us. Miss and love you all.
Apr 28, 2025, 4:24pm
Received two forms of Chemo this morning, and will be getting this treatment every 3 weeks. The Immunotherapy has not yet been approved by the Insurance (awaiting cell-level analysis). Once approved, will begin that treatment.
The Radiologist has scheduled the radiation 'mapping' for this Thursday, May 1st. Once complete, daily radiation treatments will begin (hopefully next week). We were hoping to start that this week, but there is a 'process' needed before treatment can begin. The Oncology staff is excellent! We are so glad that they work thru all of the Insurance and Scheduling for us. The Radiation will be done with a new-technology system and there are only 2 in the country, here and Oklahoma!
Thanks again for all of your prayers!
Apr 28, 2025, 6:24am
Today is Chemo day. I woke up feeling "tingly & energized" and could feel all your prayers and the Holy Spirit giving me comfort. We are Armed with Hope for the day ahead. Thank you Family and Friends!
Apr 21, 2025
The ‘port’ was implanted successfully this morning at Halifax in Daytona. Our meeting this afternoon with the Oncology Nurse was VERY informative (especially for Matt since he is kind of clueless on such things). We are on target to start two forms of Chemo on Monday April 28th, as well as an Immunotherapy treatment. All three together will provide the best results. These treatments are currently planned to be repeated every 3 weeks. And then periodically I'll be rescanned to see if the treatments are working as expected.
Also on next Monday we have an appointment with the Radiologist to go over the "Pulmonary" test results from last week. At that time we will know the plan for the Radiation treatments as to when those daily treatments can be started.
Apr 19, 2025
I am scheduled to have a ‘port’ implanted on Monday, and then we meet with an Oncology Nurse later that day. The current plan is to start Chemo treatments on Monday April 28th, followed by daily Radiation treatments (Monday thru Friday). Hopefully Immunotherapy treatments will get in the mix. Since the cancer is in several lymph node locations around the lung, the Doctors have indicated that some cancer cells may have spread to other areas, thus the aggressive approach will have the best outcome for success!
